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Old Mutual Private Equity Backs Bolt-On Acquisition of Edgars Active and High Key
South Africa-based footwear company Footgear has agreed to acquire sports apparel retailers Edgars Active and High Key from Edcon Group, a South-Africa based retail company. The transaction will be backed by Old Mutual Private Equity, a division of Africa-focused asset manager Old Mutual Alternative Investments, which recently acquired a majority stake in Footgear through its fourth private equity buyout fund.… Read More
Chiratae Ventures Leads USD2.7 Million Investment in Emotix
India-based robotics developer Emotix has raised an INR186 million (approximately USD2.7 million) seed investment round from India-focused venture capital firms Chiratae Ventures, YourNest Venture Capital, and Technology Venture Fund. Chiratae committed INR90.8 million (USD1.3 million) of the total amount, while YourNest contributed INR82.6 million (USD1.2 million), and Technology Venture Fund contributed INR12.3 million (USD180,000). Emotix, which is best known for… Read More
Innova Capital Agrees to Acquire Optical Network
Central Europe-focused private equity firm Innova Capital has agreed to acquire a 100 percent stake in Optical Network, a Romania-based optical product distributor and retailer. The company sells eyewear merchandise in stores and online through the OPTIblu, Klarmann, and Conga store brands. Innova, which will invest from buyout fund Innova/6, plans to work with Optical Network to improve its product… Read More
Plum Ventures Reaches USD77 Million Final Close for Fifth Early-Stage Fund
China-focused venture capital firm Plum Ventures has reached a final close for its fifth early-stage fund with CNY533 million (approximately USD77 million) in capital commitments. Institutional investors reportedly committed 80 percent of the fund’s corpus, and the remaining 20 percent was committed by individual investors. The fund reached a first close in the first quarter of 2018. Read More
Nexus Group Sells 6 Percent Stake in InRetail Perú for USD240 Million
Peru-focused private equity fund manager Nexus Group has sold a 6 percent stake in Peru-listed retail company InRetail Perú for USD240 million. InRetail operates supermarkets and shopping malls in Peru, as well as pharmacies in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia. Nexus first invested in the company in 2011 via NG Capital Partners I. Read More
OPay Raises USD50 Million from Private Capital and Corporate Investors
Nigeria-based mobile payments company OPay has raised USD50 million from China-based e-commerce company Meituan-Dianping; Norway-based, US-listed internet browser company Opera; and venture capital fund managers IDG Capital, Sequoia Capital, Source Code Capital, and GSR Ventures. OPay plans to use the new funding to strengthen its presence in Nigeria, expand to other African markets, and explore new business verticals, including motorcycle… Read More
Warburg Joins Investments in Rivigo and Geek+
Global private equity fund manager Warburg Pincus and India-focused venture capital firm SAIF Partners have led a USD65 million Series E investment round for Rivigo, an India-based logistics technology company. The round is reportedly ongoing and includes USD36 million committed by the two lead investors in February 2019. Separately, Warburg Pincus has participated in a Series C1 funding round for… Read More
Navegar Reaches USD87 Million First Close for Second Fund
Philippines-focused private equity fund manager Navegar has reached a first close for its second fund with USD87 million in capital commitments. The fund received commitments from 20 investors, including development finance institution IFC, which committed USD20 million. Navegar II, which is seeking USD200 million in total commitments, plans to make investments of up to USD18 million in middle market companies… Read More
A91 Partners Reaches USD351 Million Final Close for Debut Fund
India-focused venture capital fund manager A91 Partners has reached a final close for its first fund with USD351 million in capital commitments. Investors in the fund include development finance institution IFC, alternative investment firm LGT Capital Partners, and fund of fund managers Asia Alternatives Management and Adams Street Partners. The fund will make Series B and C investments of USD10… Read More
SEAF Invests in BEAU
Global impact investing firm SEAF has invested in Indonesia-based bakery and café BEAU Artisan Bakers through SEAF Women’s Opportunity Fund. BEAU intends to use the funding to expand its retail chain, develop a new centralized production facility, and improve financial management. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Au10tix Secures USD60 Million from TPG
Cyprus-based digital authentication services provider Au10tix, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based security technology company ICTS International, has received a USD60 million strategic minority investment from global alternative asset manager TPG. The company provides solutions for automating the capture, classification, authentication, and conversion of identification documents and document images for digital records. Au10tix will use the funding to expand its business and… Read More
responsAbility Invests in d.light and REH
Impact investment fund manager responsAbility Investments has committed USD4 million as part of a USD18 million debt financing round for d.light, a global provider of solar power and lighting solutions for off-grid communities. Other participants in the funding round include impact investing firms SunFunder, Social Investment Managers & Advisors, and Developing World Markets. Separately, responsAbility has acquired a 26 percent… Read More